Meaning and Usage
"手伝う" (てつだう) means "to help" or "to assist" someone with a task. It is commonly used in everyday situations where one person offers or requests support in doing something.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "手伝う" when talking about helping with chores, work, moving, or studying. It implies active participation in the task rather than just moral support.
Politeness and Form
"手伝う" is a casual to neutral verb. To be more polite, you can use "手伝ってください" (please help) or "手伝ってもらえますか" (could you help me?).
Common Collocations
- 手伝う + すること (help with a specific task)
- 手伝ってくれる (someone helps me)
- 手伝ってあげる (I help someone)
- 手伝ってください (please help)
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse "手伝う" with just giving advice or encouragement. "手伝う" always involves actively doing part of the task. Also, it is often used with verbs like "引っ越す" (to move), "掃除する" (to clean), or "宿題をする" (to do homework) to specify what help is given.